New Student Orientation

Alice Lloyd College is committed to helping new students make a smooth and enjoyable transition to college life. The College has devised a three-phased system of orientation in which students are properly introduced to life on campus: 1) Summer Orientation, 2) Fall Orientation, and 3) the Freshman Transition Program (“The Bridge Program”). We wish for all incoming students to take advantage of the opportunities that await them in Pippa Passes. Not only will you become more familiar with college life, but you will also learn more about our athletics programs, student activities, the Student Work Program, the Caney Scholars, and more. You’ll be given the opportunity to meet other new students, as well as our outstanding faculty and staff. New Student Orientation will provide you with all of the valuable information you’ll need to meet your educational and personal goals.

As a student at Alice Lloyd, you will experience college life in a truly unique setting. Mountain ranges surrounding the College offer sensational beauty, especially in the spring and autumn. ALC’s campus occupies land on both sides of peaceful Caney Creek. Steep, wooded mountains rise from the creek, and much of the 225-acre campus includes mountain slopes, with many buildings set into the hillsides. Pippa Passes is a close-knit college community, and we’re excited to welcome you into our family of students and educators!

Summer Orientation

Summer Orientation is scheduled during the summer (usually in June) for new students and parents. Entering students will meet with College faculty and staff members to gain information about college life and to become familiar with College regulations. Parents will meet with staff members to learn more about the College’s philosophy and what life will be like for their son or daughter at Alice Lloyd.

Fall Orientation

Fall Orientation’s primary task is to finalize the students’ class schedules, to meet with advisors, take placement tests, provide an opportunity to meet fellow students and faculty members, and become acquainted with the guidelines and regulations of student life.

The Bridge Program

The Alice Lloyd College Freshman Transition Program

Created in the summer of 1999 by Assistant Professor Evelyn T. Silliman, the Freshman Transition Program, affectionately known as “The Bridge Program” or “The Bridge to Success at ALC,” consisted of nine workshops, covering topics such as “Dealing with Roommates,” “Time Management,” “Study Skills,” etc. The program was developed to address the issues that first-time students (especially first-generation students) face when making the transition from high school to college life. Alice Lloyd College is a residential institution and typically enrolls 60-70% first-generation freshmen. Therefore, the trauma of beginning college life can be overwhelming.

To alleviate the confusion and stress these freshmen experience, the faculty and staff volunteer to man a program designed to help our incoming students feel more comfortable on our campus. Over the years, the Program has been enhanced and expanded to include a total of 14 workshops that involve discussions on topics such as study skills, managing your time and money, dealing with roommates, effective use of support systems, and how to register and select a major. Successful completion of the Program also offers one hour of institutional (non-transferable) credit toward graduation at ALC. The College’s departments of Student Services and Academics have worked together to mold and maintain this program as a functional and enjoyable experience for our freshmen. From 1999 to 2005, our retention rates increased from 52.17% to 68.31%.

Though the Bridge Program does not take full credit for this growth in retention, surely this program has had a positive effect on the student body of ALC. Interesting to note is the fact that upperclassmen now administer several aspects of the Program. They help teach workshops, advertise the meetings, pack gift bags, record attendance, etc. This not only offers work experience to the upperclassmen, but also a chance for the freshmen to make positive contact with successful students.

Typically, over half of the students say that the Program helped them establish themselves as residents and students on the campus, and that the Program’s primary value lies in helping them meet new people and discover that college professors are normal, caring people, too.

All freshmen and *transfer students are required to successfully complete the program. Sessions will be conducted over the fall semester and attendance will be taken. Students who elect to complete this course of study (and do so successfully) receive one hour of institutional credit and are eligible for the Leadership Certificate when they become upperclassmen.

*Exceptions to the required enrollment for transfer students may be allowed if the student can show proof they have successfully completed a similar transition program with their previous college/university.